Where's the Justice? Not hiding

PHILADELPHIA | Winston Justice might have accomplished one of those obscure firsts in NFL history: first backup offensive tackle besieged by reporters in advance of a game in which he will only play tackle in if a teammate (in this case starter William Thomas) is injured.

And even then, it's possible the Eagles would move Todd Herremans from left guard to left tackle and insert Max Jean-Gilles at the guard spot in Sunday's game against the Giants.

Of course, the reason Justice was subject of media interest this week was what happened the last time the Eagles faced the Giants: Justice made his NFL starting debut when he filled in for an injured Thomas and allowed Osi Umenyiora to sack Donovan McNabb four times. Umenyiora finished with a career-high six sacks overall (the Giants tied an NFL record with 12) in a 16-3 victory over Philadelphia.

"I just think I got away from my technique," the 6-6, 320-pound Justice said. "I just lost confidence, and then I got away from my technique."

Asked if he believes he is better for the experience -- the theory Eagles coach Andy Reid put forth -- Justice shrugged.

"I think so," Justice said. "But you never know."

Reid's take: "I think Winston came out a better player for it. If you want to talk about his career down the road, I think that'll help. Every offensive lineman goes through an experience like that. The thing that is important with that group, is they all had a little piece of that pie, it wasn't just Winston. They all know that they've got a heck of a challenge this week against, right now, probably the best defensive line in the National Football League and it's important that they prepare themselves for that great challenge."